Poem: The Highwayman

Introduction
"The Highwayman" is a romantic narrative poem written by British poet Alfred Noyes in 1906. It tells the story of an outlaw who falls in love with Bess, the property owner's daughter, and their awful and doomed relationship. The poem is kept in mind for its vivid images, musical rhythm, and strong narrative, which have actually contributed to its enduring popularity throughout the years.

Plot
The poem begins with a description of the highwayman setting out on a moonlit night to visit his fan, Bess, who lives at an inn. He is depicted as a dashing, romantic figure in a plumed hat, outfitted in crimson and velour. Bess, on the other hand, is described as having long, black hair and red lips, which recommend her appeal and passionate nature.

As the highwayman approaches the inn, he is seen by among the proprietor's servants, Tim. Tim is envious of the highwayman's relationship with Bess and chooses to betray him to the British authorities, as highwaymen were considered criminals and crooks throughout that time duration.

The next day, as Bess anxiously awaits the return of her enthusiast, a group of British soldiers pertains to the inn searching for the highwayman. Bess overhears their strategy to ambush her lover and kill him, and is desperate to warn him. The soldiers, however, protect her to a bedpost with a musket pointed at her chest, as a trap for the highwayman.

In spite of being restrained, Bess manages to totally free among her hands and utilizes her finger to activate the musket. The gunshot alerts the highwayman of the risk, however at the expense of Bess's own life. Hurt yet determined, the highwayman hurries back to the inn, with the soldiers in pursuit.

Realizing that Bess has actually craved him, the highwayman is filled with grief and anguish. Not wanting to die without avenging her, he gets away back towards the road. The soldiers ultimately catch up to him, and he is shot dead.

Themes
"The Highwayman" explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. The enthusiastic love in between the highwayman and Bess is the driving force of the poem and exists as all-consuming and powerful. This love leads both characters to show unwavering loyalty to each other, ultimately sacrificing their lives for one another.

Another considerable theme is the juxtaposition of the idealized hooligan and the overbearing authority figures. The highwayman is portrayed as a romantic, nearly heroic figure regardless of his criminal profession, whereas the British soldiers are depicted as harsh and vindictive in their actions towards Bess.

Finally, the poem touches on the idea of time and catastrophe. Time appears to play a role in the characters' fates, as occasions such as the highwayman's nightly trip, Bess' sacrifice, and the lead character's desperate attempt to avenge her, all happen within a limited amount of time. Additionally, the haunting, terrible nature of the story creates a sense of inevitability to the characters' destinies.

Design and Structure
"The Highwayman" is composed in two parts and is made up of a series of loosely linked stanzas. Noyes's use of alternating lines of eight and six syllables, along with a basic, repeated rhyme plan, creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. This, integrated with vivid, sensory language and strong images, offers the poem a sense of energy and motion that drives the narrative forward.

One especially noteworthy element of Noyes's style is his usage of repeating and parallelism. The phrase "the road was a ribbon of moonlight" is repeated throughout the poem, serving to underscore the connection between the highwayman, Bess, and the fate that awaits them.

Conclusion
"The Highwayman" is a captivating narrative poem that has kept its appeal for over a century. Its combination of strong images, a compelling and awful love story, and an available rhythm and rhyme plan make it an enduring example of British romantic poetry. Through the tale of the highwayman and Bess, readers are transported to a world where love, sacrifice, and catastrophe intertwine to create an ageless story.